Former Lakers’ Forward Kyle Kuzma Explains Why He Was Shocked When He Was Traded to the Washington Wizards

The Lakers last season had a season to forget as they crashed out in the very first round of the playoffs. Despite having a stacked roster with two superstars in LeBron James and Anthony Davis, injuries crippled the 2020 champions.

While AD and Bron did suffer from injuries, the supporting cast didn’t help either. Be it their point guard Dennis Schroder or their 2016 draftee Kyle Kuzma, no one chipped in offensively for the team in a consistent basis thus the team’s heavy reliance on the superstars. Given their disappointment, the Purple and Gold revamped their roster.

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Kyle Kuzma reveals why he was surprised that Lakers traded him to Wizards

One of the biggest trades that the Lakers made was the trade for Russell Westbrook. Trading away players like Montrezl Harrell, Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope along with picks, LA got their main target in Westbrook.

Kuzma who was a role player for the Lakers, recently explained why he was surprised that the Lakers traded him to Wizard. “I was kind of shocked because I thought I was going to Sac (Sacramento). The Sacramento deal with Buddy Hield, like that s**t was done….”

“But then like out of nowhere you know it goes you know you’re going to Washington. I was like super hyped obviously because it’s like a better situation you know.”

Kuzma then mentioned why he couldn’t wait playing for the Wizards.“To have an opportunity to play with like Bradley Beal um you know someone that is trying to really be a winner in this league because he’s a killer man.”

Before the reports of Westbrook even emerged, there were multiple outlets who had speculated the trade of Buddy Hield to the Lakers. Given their shooting woes, Hield seemed like the perfect fit for the Lakers, but LeBron and Co. preferring the Westbrook deal instead was certainly a no-brainer.

This Westbrook certainly is a win-win for both parties. While the Lakers get a legitimate superstar, the Wizards massively cut down their wage bill and added some good players like Kyle Kuzma who might flourish in a bigger role.

Kuzma in the last two seasons has shown that he can step up as a starting forward. With the Wizards, the 25-year-old is destined to be a starter. Can Kuzma finally prove his haters wrong this season?